—As Civil Society Consortium Backs Opposition’s Demand for Special Prosecutor in Capitol Arson Case

It seems like Lawyers representing the government of Liberia in the high profile invlogoing former House Speaker, Cllr J. Fonati Koffa amnd three other opposition Lawyers might have to go to camp atr the famous RLJ Hotel to brinstrom ahead of the official start of the adjudication of the ttrail of alledged Arson.

On Thursday, June 26, Prosecution Lawyers again suffered ‘bloody nose’  in the famous resistance motion to an earlier properties  bond filed by Defense Lawyers representing Cllr. Koffa and others.

Prosecution had earlier argued that the  properties bond was not sufficient to satisfy  the temporary release of the accused and threatened to re-arrest them.

Judge  L. Ben Bacon   in his admittance in opend court stated that the properties bond filed by the Defense Lawyers , stated that the properties bond ‘is good both as sufficient and meets the requirements provided by law’.

The acceptance of the properties bond now puts prosecution into a dilemma of serious setback.

 Judge L. Ben Bacon stated that “The defendants adequately justified their bond with deeds probated by the monthly and probate courts and tax assessment and valuation by the LRA. Moreover, the defendants are lawmakers and can be released on their own personal recognizance in accordance with the 1986 constitution article 21(d). c and the defendant’s personal recognizance” that is the ruling from the court today.”

On Tuesday, June 24, minutes after the hearing, former Speaker Koffa in passing termed the prosecution resistance to the property bond as ‘Garbage in, Garbage out’’, signifying that the prosecution did not have sufficient legal grounds to resist the properties bond filed.

On Tuesday morning, Former House Speaker Fonati Koffa, and three other Lawmakers accused of being the masterminds behind last December arson attacks on the Joint chambers of the Legislature appeared at the Monrovia City Court amid threats to have them re-arrest within 24 hours if they could not justify the sufficiency of their bail bonds

At the hearing, prosecutors failed to sustain previous contestation of an the ineffectiveness of the property bond filed by defense Lawyers representing former Speaker Fonati Koffa, and three other lawmakers.

During the hearing Tuesday, June 24, defense argue that their client’s property bond filed met the full requirements by law. However, prosecution detested that it needs more clues to solidify the actuality of the bond.

Taking the witness stand, wife of former Speaker Koffa, Jonda Janet Kula Koffa, who put up her properties located in Marshall City, and Todee District, Montserrado county, assured the court that the property bond presented by her Husband was legitimate and were available for appraisal. Madam Koffa further assured the court that her husband remains law-abiding and was no flight risk as been perceived.  

On that note prosecution insisted that the defense provide the total monetary value of the named properties which was resisted by the defense on grounds that it would not determine such until the regulatory body by law could do so.

Consistent with the evidences provided by both the defense team and wife of the former speaker, Dama R. Yekeson-Koffa  admitted the bonds as legitimate to proceed for trail.

The trail involving the former House speaker and three other opposition lawmakers is schedule for

On Monday, June 23, the Monrovia City Court Orders former House Speaker Koffa and Three other Lawmakers to Justify Bail Bonds or Face Re-Arrest Within 24 Hours.

In  related development, The Civil Society Consortium of Liberia has thrown its full weight behind a joint statement from four opposition political parties calling for the immediate appointment of a Special Prosecutor to investigate alleged abuse and misconduct in the Capitol arson case

In a release issued in Monrovia on June 25, 2025 the Democratic Watch Initiative and the Liberia CSO Watch Network, operating under the Civil Society Consortium made up of five legally registered organizations said the allegations of torture witness tampering and political persecution cannot be ignored

The group described the case as a disturbing breakdown of law and due process pointing to reports of illegal detention coerced confessions physical and psychological abuse and attempts to silence witnesses

They named individuals including Thomas Etheridge Andrew Lawson Albert Weah John Nyanti and Christian Koffa as victims of a pattern of abuse allegedly carried out by state security actors

The Consortium raised concerns over constitutional violations especially the right to bail and fair treatment under Article 21 of the 1986 Constitution

It also questioned the credibility of investigations currently being handled by the Liberia National Police and Ministry of Justice stating that these institutions cannot investigate themselves amid serious claims of bias and misconduct

The civil society group echoed the opposition’s demand for a Special Prosecutor who is fully independent with powers to uncover the truth protect witnesses and ensure transparency

They also called for the release or formal charging of individuals in prolonged detention and urged the publication of all investigative findings for public accountability

The Consortium warned that justice manipulation especially in politically sensitive cases could attract international backlash and jeopardize Liberia’s democratic stability

This is not a political endorsement the statement clarified but a principled stand for truth fairness and institutional credibility

The group urged President Joseph Boakai to act decisively and appoint a Special Prosecutor without delay

Signed by Mark Mulla Chairman of the Democratic Watch Initiative and Wilmot Gibson Chairman of the Liberia CSO Watch Network the Consortium declared its commitment to justice and the protection of constitutional rights for all Liberians